Cholesterol: Get low, get low, get low.

Lately, I've been asked about diets, menus, and foods that are good for lowering cholesterol. Obviously these queries have not been from my blog followers, but from other adults and family members. So I've been doing some research to find out what foods and diets are best for lowering cholesterol. If you want to keep your cholesterol low, or have been told by your doctor to watch your cholesterol, read on! The changes are pretty small and simple, so start today.

Fun Fact: Just one egg yolk has the entire recommended amount of cholesterol for one day. So be careful, and when having egg scrambles or dishes, stick to one yolk - or all egg whites.

The Basics: Your body does need a small amount of cholesterol to function properly. But because of too much cholesterol and saturated fat, most people aquire raised levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is what causes plaque to build up in the arteries, and can increase the risk of heart disease. The good news: There is such thing as "good" cholesterol (HDL) - which helps clear bad cholesterol from your blood. Your goal should be to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol, primarily through your diet.

For heart health, look to the sea: Most heart healthy diets have fish on the menu twice a week.. Why? Fish is low in saturated fat and high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Fish may help lower cholesterol and slow down the growth of plaque in arteries. Go for salmon, trout, tuna, and sardines.. Mmmm..

Start your day the right way: A bowl of oatmeal or whole-grain cereal has benefits and fiber that last all day. The fiber and complex carbohydrates in whole grains help you feel fuller longer, so you'll be less tempted to overeat later in the day. They also help reduce "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and can be an important part of any weight loss plan. Other examples of whole grain snacks and foods are: wild rice, brown rice, barley, whole wheat flour, and popcorn.

Nuts about snacking?: Need a snack? A handful of nuts is a tasty treat that helps in lowering cholesterol. Nuts are high in monounsaturated fat, which lowers LDL "bad" cholesterol while leaving HDL "good" cholesterol intact. Several studies have shown that people who eat an ounce of nuts a day have a lower risk of heart disease. But be careful - nuts are high in fat and calories, so try to stick to just a handful.. And nuts covered in chocolate and sugar do not qualify. Sorry.